New Mexico News Podcast
146 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 21 ratingsThe New Mexico News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Gabrielle Burkhart and Chris McKee of KRQE News 13 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We‘re extending the conversation about news headlines around the state and bringing listeners unique stories from the Land of Enchantment.
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Episodes
New Mexico Cannabis Industry: Who Will Survive?
July 25, 2023 11:20 - 38 minutes - 53.2 MBLots of people quit their day jobs to go all in with New Mexico’s recreational cannabis industry. More than a year into legalization, cannabis shops already outnumber liquor stores in Albuquerque. Is the grass greener for all these new businesses? Chris and Gabby sit down with Pat Davis, Co-Founder of Weeds Cannabis Consulting firm and Albuquerque City Councilor for District 6. Davis explains some of the challenges the industry is facing, how businesses are getting creative, as well as th...
Near Record Heat Scorches New Mexico
July 18, 2023 11:20 - 32 minutes - 44.1 MBWe are close to breaking a record for the longest-running heatwave in New Mexico. Depending on where you live in the state, there have been some dangerously hot conditions to keep an eye on. This week, Chris and Gabby host an expert from the National Weather Service to discuss the significance of this summer’s temperatures, and when people can expect some relief. Should people re-think swamp coolers for their homes next summer? Which areas are considered at 'high risk' for long heatwaves? ...
The ’Tragic’ Season For NMSU Men’s Basketball
July 11, 2023 11:20 - 40 minutes - 55.7 MBNew Mexico State University’s men’s basketball team is coming off of what some would call a tragic season. Between the end of 2022 and early 2023, two different stories garnered national attention. First, a deadly November shooting in Albuquerque that left one teammate injured and a University of New Mexico student dead. Then in February, allegations of hazing and sexual assault lead to the suspension of the team's season. More recently, the school reached a multimillion-dollar lawsuit settl...
How Albuquerque’s Gateway Center Is Shaping Up
July 04, 2023 11:20 - 40 minutes - 55.4 MBIt's been nearly four years since voters approved a $14-million bond for Albuquerque's long-promised "Gateway Center" homeless shelter, a project with the goal of creating a facility offering comprehensive, wrap-around services for the homeless. By late 2020, the city entered into negotiations to purchase the former Lovelace Hospital on Gibson Boulevard. At the time, Mayor Tim Keller envisioned the building as possibly being operational "in months, not years." But the build-up to the Gatew...
The 180° Shift In New Mexico’s 2023 Wildfire Season
June 27, 2023 11:20 - 25 minutes - 35.1 MBRemember 2022’s historic wildfire season in New Mexico? Concern can quickly shift from wildfire to flooding, depending on where you live in New Mexico. This week, Chris and Gabby host experts from the U.S. Forest Service to talk about what the changing weather pattern this year has meant for fresh burn scars, and the summer efforts crews are making to protect people and properties. How are controlled burn operations working? Who’s at the highest risk for flooding? This week's guests are Ri...
The History Of Tent Rocks National Monument
June 20, 2023 11:20 - 31 minutes - 43.3 MBA little more than two decades ago, most people didn't know what "Tent Rocks" were in New Mexico. But after the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument was put on the map in 2001, the site became one of the most popular hiking and outdoor recreation spots in the state - a major tourism draw. Three years after the COVID-19 pandemic started, the Tent Rocks monument still remains closed. The BLM has in part cited continuing concerns related to resource protection, staffing, and visitation le...
$3.95 Billion. How The Feds Are Repaying New Mexicans For Wildfire Losses
June 13, 2023 11:20 - 32 minutes - 44.4 MBThis time last year, New Mexico's Hermits Peak Calf Canyon wildfire was dominating local headlines. The wildfire eventually became the state's largest in recorded history, sparked by two different government operations that eventually merged. One year after the fire charred more than 342-thousand acres, the federal government is attempting to make good on its promise to help New Mexicans recover from massive losses. $3.95 billion has been earmarked to pay for a wide range of costs, all of w...
A Cold Case Murder Confession
June 06, 2023 11:20 - 28 minutes - 39.3 MB"I'm tired of living with my lie.” Fourteen years after a New Mexico man went missing, Tony Ray Peralta said he was tired of living with guilt. Peralta borrowed someone’s cell phone at a Roswell Allsup's gas station, then called 911 to confess to the murder of his landlord. Peralta eventually led local police officers to the home where he said he’d buried William Blodgett's body in 2008. Now, he's charged with murder. This week - KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret joins Chris and Gabb...
Police Chief Details Loss, Bravery After Farmington Mass Shooting
May 30, 2023 11:20 - 39 minutes - 53.7 MBTwo weeks ago, Farmington in northwest New Mexico faced a mass shooting. Three people were killed and six others were wounded before police shot and killed the shooter, an 18-year-old high school student. Chris and Gabby sit down with Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe in an extended conversation about the loss within the community, how officers responded to the active shooter, and how people are dealing with the aftermath. Investigators say the shooter was firing at random. Were there any...
The Transition From State’s Top Cop To Local Business Owner
May 23, 2023 11:20 - 52 minutes - 72.5 MBPete Kassetas has a decades-long career in law enforcement, but for a little more than five years, he was one of the most visible people in New Mexico criminal justice. The former Chief led New Mexico State Police from 2013 to 2018 and along the way, he had a voice in some of the state's biggest news stories. In a rare and candid sit-down with Chris and Gabby, Kassetas shares stories behind his ups and downs in law enforcement, and what it was like to be the face of New Mexico’s largest pol...
Why A UNM Professor Thinks You Should Learn ChatGPT
May 16, 2023 11:20 - 36 minutes - 50.4 MB"ChatGPT" is a big deal on the internet today. Released in November, the publicly available, AI-driven chatbot is trained to understand and answer text-based questions in an unprecedented way. Its answers can be so convincing that you may feel like you're talking to a real person, not a computer. If you haven't tried it yet, here's a link. There's a lot of excitement about how people might use these advanced chatbots. But ChatGPT and generative AI is also raising questions about how people ...
How Albuquerque Police Are Reorganizing Messy Investigations
May 09, 2023 11:20 - 35 minutes - 49.1 MBGone are the days of officers dropping off hand-written documents and police reports into a bin for prosecutors to sort through. New Mexico’s biggest city is adopting the use of a new homegrown database software called ‘Case Catcher.’ The program is aimed at helping investigators build better cases and stay organized. How organized an investigation is - matters a lot, especially in a high-stakes case like a murder trial, for instance. And for years, metro-area criminal justice professional...
How Did Alec Baldwin’s Criminal Case Get So Messy?
May 02, 2023 11:20 - 30 minutes - 42.3 MBNew Mexico prosecutors recently dropped an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in relation to the fatal 2021 "Rust" movie set shooting near Santa Fe. Attorneys cited 'new facts' that demand further investigation in their case dismissal. While prosecutors can still refile charges, the sudden shift comes after months of reports about procedural challenges to the prosecution. The Santa Fe District Attorney's Office has faced issues, including the timing of charges and changes...
New Mexico Schools Invest In AI Gun-Detection
April 25, 2023 11:20 - 34 minutes - 47.5 MBIn 2023, student safety is among the biggest concerns that school administrators have about their campuses. Each school year, we continue to hear stories about students bringing guns and other weapons on to school campuses. Not every incident leads to someone getting hurt, but regardless, the issue always raises concerns about what more can be done to stop violent situations from unfolding. At least one New Mexico school district is now making an investment to try to help address campus saf...
Will United Build A Stadium At Balloon Fiesta Park?
April 18, 2023 11:20 - 37 minutes - 51.2 MBIt’s been a burning question since 2021 when voters turned down a $50 million bond to build a soccer stadium near downtown Albuquerque. Where else might New Mexico United build a venue for their young and popular team? In recent weeks, United's owner Peter Trevisani leaked a big hint: the stadium could go in a place that rhymes with ‘Lagoon Siesta Park.’ So how should we take this news? Will the franchise build a stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park? What more needs to be done before the steel a...
What New Laws Will Hit New Mexico In 2023?
April 11, 2023 11:20 - 35 minutes - 48.7 MBWe're now about one month removed from the end of the latest New Mexico legislative session. Despite it being 60 days long (double the length of last year's session), it seems like this was a "fast and furious" legislative session (see what we did there?) This week on the podcast, Chris and Gabby host KRQE.com's Digital Data Investigative Reporter Curtis Segarra for a deeper break down of the big bills that passed, and the ones that didn’t make it through. Curtis penned well over 100 storie...
A Warning From An IRS Criminal Investigator
April 04, 2023 11:20 - 27 minutes - 38 MBPerhaps you've filed your taxes already? Or maybe you're waiting until the last minute? Regardless of your choice, the fact remains that you probably have to file something with the government. This week on the podcast, we're taking a closer look at the process behind tax law enforcement with the IRS. A special agent and public information officer for the IRS' Criminal Investigation Division, Brian Watson joins the podcast. What are some of the most common tax scams and problems hitting fil...
Water Is ’Everyone’s Issue’ In New Mexico
March 28, 2023 11:20 - 37 minutes - 51.8 MBEvery year, New Mexicans may see a different sight of the Rio Grande River, depending on how much rain or snow the state gets. And every year, water shortages, restrictions, and conservation efforts occur in the background. Will the river run dry? How much water does New Mexico owe to Texas under the Rio Grande Compact? How have the state's water woes impacted farmers and ranchers? Whether you're in the ag industry, you like plants, or enjoy walks along the Bosque - you won't want to miss...
Tackling The Teacher Shortage
March 21, 2023 11:20 - 29 minutes - 40.2 MBThe teacher shortage is a perennial topic when it comes to education in New Mexico. Over the years, lawmakers and other officials have put stock in loads of different efforts aimed at addressing the shortage, from increasing pay to starting new recruiting programs. But what makes a good teacher? And why do some teachers leave the profession so quickly? Can something be done differently to fix that? A recent NMSU report indicated the state's teacher vacancies were down by 34% in New Mexico f...
New Attorney General Plans For An Overhaul
March 14, 2023 11:20 - 36 minutes - 50 MBNew Mexico has a new Attorney General. In November, voters picked Democrat Raúl Torrez to lead the state's top prosecutorial office. Now in his third month on the job, Torrez recently sat down with Chris and Gabby to talk about how he plans to reshape the New Mexico AG’s office. His plans include adding staff and new divisions, including a Civil Rights Division for the state. Torrez explains what that division could do, including holding New Mexico's beleaguered Children Youth and Families D...
Evacuee Returns To Ukraine A Year Since Invasion
March 07, 2023 12:20 - 31 minutes - 42.6 MBMore than one year since Russia invaded Ukraine, the war continues to impact New Mexicans. From evacuating her mother from a war-torn country and making several trips back to help, this week Chris and Gabby check in with Diana Horak. She’s a Ukrainian-born, Albuquerque mother of two who’s been involved with helping her home country since day one. And one year since her elderly mother was evacuated, Horak describes the tough decision to return her mom home to Kyiv. Listen through the end to...
Dr. Scrase Is Retiring. His Thoughts On New Mexico’s Pandemic Response
February 28, 2023 12:20 - 42 minutes - 58.8 MBThe state’s top doctor who helped guide New Mexico through the COVID-19 pandemic - is officially retiring at the end of February. Referred to as New Mexico’s own ‘Dr. Fauci,’ Dr. David Scrase eventually led two departments, serving as the Secretary of the Human Services Department and Acting Secretary of the Department of Health. Ahead of his departure from state government, Dr. Scrase sits down with Gabby and Chris one more time to reflect on his role over the last few years. How does he ...
The Special Agent In Charge Of Albuquerque’s FBI
February 21, 2023 12:20 - 35 minutes - 48.5 MBGuns, fentanyl, and violent crime are some of New Mexico’s biggest problems that federal agents are tackling right alongside local law enforcement. This week, Chris and Gabby have a candid conversation with Raul Bujanda, the Special Agent in Charge of Albuquerque’s FBI field office, about what the feds have accomplished and what they’re focused on this year. What’s happened since the FBI made its largest fentanyl bust in bureau history? How do the feds address the idea of 'whack-a-mole' wh...
School Meals Could Be Free For All New Mexico Kids
February 14, 2023 12:20 - 33 minutes - 46.5 MBA $30 million dollar proposal could reshape school meals in New Mexico. State lawmakers are considering a bill that would pick up the breakfast and lunch tab for all K-12 public and charter schools. If it passes, the bill would give every student the option to get free food at school twice a day, regardless of their family's income. This week on the podcast, Chris and Gabby discuss the state proposal with three guests, including an expert on the new bill and two people who could be affected...
Will Alec Baldwin Face A Trial In New Mexico?
February 07, 2023 12:20 - 35 minutes - 49.4 MBMore than a year after the fatal shooting on the film set of ‘Rust’ near Santa Fe, actor-producer Alec Baldwin and film armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed face criminal charges in a New Mexico court. Each is facing one count of involuntary manslaughter for the shooting that led to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’ death. This week, Gabby and Chris outline the details of what investigators claim went wrong. Will this case go to trial? What does this mean for Baldwin? Longtime New Mexico criminal de...
Are ABQ’s mental health & violence interventions working?
January 31, 2023 12:20 - 31 minutes - 42.6 MBSince 2019, the City of Albuquerque has leaned hard into some alternative efforts toward addressing the complexities behind two major issues plaguing the city: violent crime and mental/behavioral health. In November 2019, city leaders announced the launch of the "Violence Intervention Program," or VIP for short. The program connects streetwise social workers to victims of gun violence in an effort to stop the cycle of retaliation. About six months later, in June 2020, Albuquerque announced ...
Understanding The Targeted Shootings At New Mexico Lawmakers’ Homes
January 24, 2023 12:20 - 38 minutes - 52.4 MBIt is a remarkable story in New Mexico politics and something that made national headlines multiple times over the last few weeks. A former Republican candidate for the New Mexico House is accused of plotting shootings at the homes of four Democratic lawmakers in Albuquerque. Solomon Peña, who was arrested on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, now faces fifteen counts for allegedly being a "mastermind" in the case. How did Albuquerque Police connect the dots and make an arrest? Chris and Gabby hos...
2023: More Money, More Lawmaking...More Solutions?
January 17, 2023 12:20 - 38 minutes - 52.3 MBStarting today (Jan. 17, 2023) - New Mexico's elected representatives are back in the Capitol for another legislative session. This time they're in for 60 days of lawmaking at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, and once again, the agenda seems packed. This week, Chris and Gabby are diving into the 2023 session. The state's continued record oil revenues are expected to fuel a lot of debate on what could be a spending spree for the state. Could it pay for another round of potential tax rebates? New ...
Lobo Fever Returns
January 10, 2023 12:20 - 31 minutes - 43.2 MBFor the Lobos, you could say "its been a minute." It's been roughly eight seasons since the Lobo men's basketball team has made waves for their play on the court. Now on their fourth coach in the last decade, the team has opened its 2022-23 season with some remarkable success. Starting with 14 straight wins, the team remained undefeated until a close loss at Fresno State on January 3. Despite the loss, the team has proved its hungry to win under second-year coach Richard Pitino. And with t...
The Big News Stories Ahead In 2023
January 03, 2023 12:20 - 40 minutes - 55.1 MBHappy New Year from the New Mexico News Podcast! And with that, we can't think of a better way to ring in 2023 than by bringing back the proverbial "Magic 8 Ball" of news. This week on the podcast, Chris & Gabby are back with their predictions as to what will be the biggest news stories to watch out for in 2023. This year's list includes a handful of high-profile criminal trials; a deeper look at the "state political shuffle" taking place after the 2022 election; and a breakdown of some of ...
A Conversation With Our KRQE Investigates Team
December 27, 2022 12:20 - 41 minutes - 57.5 MBInvestigative journalism is a core piece of the work inside the KRQE News 13 newsroom. Across 2022, our KRQE Investigates team, including Gabrielle Burkhart and Ann Pierret, published more than 30 investigations for broadcast. Some of their most impactful work is featured this month in an hour-long, year-end KRQE Investigates news special. This week on the podcast, Ann and Gabby offer a closer look inside a few of the stories featured in the special. Ann discusses a deputy who contracted CO...
Reflecting On Some Good News In 2022
December 20, 2022 12:20 - 34 minutes - 47.5 MBTo close out 2022, KRQE News 13 is back recounting some of the most feel good stories of the year. 18 different stories are featured in this year's hour-long "Best Good News of 2022" news special, which begins airing on the KRQE Media Group family of stations this week. With a closer look at the work behind those stories, this week, Chris and Gabby sit down with News 13 anchor/reporters Brittany Bade and Annalisa Pardo to discuss their contributions toward covering "good news" in 2022. He...
Albuquerque Police Are Solving More Murders in 2022
December 13, 2022 12:20 - 37 minutes - 51.9 MBJust like 2021, 2022 has been another record-setting year for homicides in Albuquerque. As of December 9, 115 people have been killed across 108 different homicide cases. But that's just part of the story. Albuquerque Police detectives are also solving more murders in 2022 than they have in several recent years. As 2022 wraps up, APD says its homicide clearance rate is above 90%. How is that possible? And is there any relief in sight to violent crime in the city? This week on the podcast, ...
New Mexico’s Ski Season Forecast
December 06, 2022 12:30 - 26 minutes - 36.1 MBWhether you ski or snowboard, or don’t hit the slopes at all – the ski season is important to New Mexico. The industry brings in tens of thousands of out-of-state visitors each year who help boost the economy in many communities across New Mexico. But as several resorts open up for the season, many are still facing challenges, including staffing. This week on the podcast, Gabby and Chris speak with George Brooks, Executive Director of Ski New Mexico (a trade organization working to promote ...
Larry Barker & The Mystery Buried In The Santa Fe Plaza
November 29, 2022 12:20 - 26 minutes - 36.2 MBAs our episode title suggests, there's a mystery at the center of the Santa Fe Plaza. 155 years ago, a box of relics containing elements of New Mexico's past was buried underneath what later became a controversial monument. Today, while the monument or obelisk has been toppled, the relics underneath it have yet to be unearthed. KRQE News 13 Investigative Reporter Larry Barker joins Chris and Gabby this week to discuss his months-long investigation into a hidden box of historical treasures b...
Why Are So Many Kids Getting Sick?
November 22, 2022 12:20 - 28 minutes - 39.5 MBGot a sick kid? You're not alone. Childhood illnesses are on the rise in New Mexico, and kids needing care are facing long waits. Doctors are facing a surge of patients with respiratory viruses at a time when staffing and hospital capacity are limited. Not to mention, parents might have some heightened anxieties about their kids getting sick on the heels of a pandemic. Why is this happening? When might we see some relief? What signs should you be watching for to know when to take your child...
Election Security & How Recounts Are Handled
November 15, 2022 12:20 - 40 minutes - 55.5 MBThe midterm election is over and as expected, there were some close races. A few contests for seats in the New Mexico House Representatives will go to automatic recounts. But not every one of them will. How are recounts handled? When does the state ask for one, and what happens when a candidate requests one? Who counts your ballot? This week, Chris and Gabby take listeners behind the scenes with New Mexico’s Secretary of State, Democrat Maggie Toulouse Oliver. A former Bernalillo County Cle...
The Dynamics At Play In New Mexico’s 2022 Midterm
November 08, 2022 12:20 - 27 minutes - 37.9 MBThe 2022 midterm election is finally here. Finally. We know. A couple of weeks ago, we covered some of the big races to watch for in New Mexico. This week on the podcast, we're taking a closer look at the dynamics of this election. Will voter turnout this midterm match President Trump's 2018 midterm election? What happened during President Joe Biden's recent visit to New Mexico? What's your take on all of the political ads, and are they doing anything to influence voters? KRQE News 13 Inve...
Who Has A Better Financial Plan For New Mexico?
November 01, 2022 11:20 - 28 minutes - 39.3 MBInflation rates are at the highest they’ve been in decades, and wages have not been able to keep up with rising costs in New Mexico. Between gas, food, and housing, there are still a lot of people struggling. So with midterm elections just one week away, which gubernatorial candidate has a better financial plan for the state? How do politics play a role in fuel prices? What’s the biggest strain on your pocketbook right now? University of New Mexico economics professor Janie Chermak joins the...
The Big Races To Watch In New Mexico’s 2022 Midterm
October 25, 2022 11:20 - 40 minutes - 56.2 MBNew Mexico's midterm election is just two weeks away. Ahead of the results, Chris and Gabby welcome back KRQE's Political Analyst Gabe Sanchez to the podcast this week. In an extended conversation, Gabe helps drill down into the biggest races to watch for on election night. Here's a list of the races we're talking about in this week's episode, in order: --Governor - Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) vs. Mark Ronchetti (R) --Attorney General - Raul Torrez (D) vs. Jeremy Gay (R) --Congressional Dist...
Millions Spent To Help New Mexicans Pay Rent
October 18, 2022 11:20 - 32 minutes - 44.6 MBAnyone who’s tried to buy a home or even lock down an affordable rental these days knows how tough the market has gotten. This week, Chris and Gabby are diving into New Mexico’s affordable housing dilemmas. Donnie Quintana, the Director of the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program, or ERAP, shares details about the state’s Home Fund program, and the millions of dollars available to help people pay the bills. How long will these pandemic-era programs continue? Who qualifies for assist...
Retailers Share Intelligence To Stop Criminals
October 11, 2022 11:20 - 41 minutes - 57.1 MB"Intelligence" gathering isn't just for the government anymore. Increasingly, retailers are joining in on the trend of keeping a database of pictures, videos and information tied to alleged crimes inside their private stores. That investment is now happening in New Mexico. In late August, the New Mexico Attorney General's Office announced a new partnership between law enforcement, retail stores and the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce. Paid for by the Chamber, retailers are now using a databa...
Balloon Fiesta’s 50th Anniversary
October 04, 2022 11:20 - 34 minutes - 47 MBTwo major milestones are on the podcast this week – the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta celebrates its 50th anniversary, while Chris and Gabby celebrate one year since the launch of the New Mexico News Podcast. To help mark the occasion, returning guest Tom Garrity joins the discussion to highlight what new things people should expect from this year’s fiesta. A longtime spokesperson for the Balloon Fiesta, Garrity explains everything from world record-setting attempts, a return of i...
”One Pill Can Kill” - New Mexico’s Fentanyl Crisis
September 27, 2022 11:20 - 26 minutes - 36.3 MBWhen law enforcement talks about crime these days, there’s often one drug that’s mentioned over and over again. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that’s been used to treat patients with severe pain, but it’s also illegally manufactured, sold, and trafficked into the U.S. on a massive scale. The drug is highly addictive and deadly, as highlighted by federal drug enforcement's recent and ongoing "one pill can kill" campaign. The FBI recently made the largest Fentanyl bust in the bureau’...
Albuquerque’s Mayor On Homelessness
September 20, 2022 11:20 - 46 minutes - 63.4 MBIt is one of the biggest issues facing New Mexico's largest city. Thousands of people are living on the streets and depending on where you live, you might have a widely different view on how to deal with it. This week on the podcast, Chris and Gabby take a deep dive into Albuquerque's problem with homelessness, speaking with the man guiding policy and plans: Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. In a 40 minute conversation, Keller shares his thoughts on the so-called "Safe Outdoor Spaces" or city-...
Green Chile Production Hits Low-Point In History
September 13, 2022 11:20 - 30 minutes - 42.1 MBNew Mexico chile is part of the fabric of the state, a source of pride and joy. However, local chile farmers have been dealt a tough hand in recent years. Between the pandemic, labor shortages, drought, and shifting economics, some growers are changing the way they do business. Is the state’s chile industry in jeopardy? KRQE News 13's Investigative Data Reporter Curtis Segarra visited some multigenerational chile farmers across the state to find answers. He joins Chris and Gabby this week to...
An Entire City Is Running Out Of Water
September 06, 2022 11:20 - 32 minutes - 45.2 MBFirst the pandemic, then massive wildfires, dangerous flooding – and now a dwindling water supply. Residents in northern New Mexico haven’t had much time between crises to recover. Ranchers have cut down on herds due to fire damage and water shortages, while homeowners and local businesses are doing what they can to conserve. Adding salt to the wound, the area is seeing one of the best monsoon seasons in years, but the city can’t use most of the water due to contamination from a government-s...
How Social Workers Are Responding to Crises in Albuquerque
August 30, 2022 11:20 - 42 minutes - 58.1 MBYou may have heard about the City of Albuquerque’s unarmed civilian response team. Albuquerque Community Safety, or ACS, has a team of behavioral health responders who respond to mental health crises, homelessness calls, and wellness checks across the city. Nearly a year into the program now, is ACS making a difference? Chris and Gabby talk to ACS Executive Director, Mariela Ruiz Angel about the department’s challenges and its progress. How is this data tracked? Will ACS have an impact on ...
Albuquerque Closes Infamous Homeless Encampment
August 23, 2022 11:20 - 41 minutes - 57.5 MBAfter making a promise in late July, Albuquerque city officials finally closed arguably the most infamous city park. Right next to Third Street in the shadow of I-40, Coronado Park used to be a typical city park with a dog park and a skate park, too. But in recent years, the park turned into a homeless camp and an increasingly violent place, where drugs were rampant and as many as five homicides took place. So what’s next for Coronado Park? Where will the people who’ve refused services go?...
Murders of Muslim Men Terrorize Albuquerque
August 16, 2022 11:20 - 43 minutes - 59.6 MBAlbuquerque was thrust into the national spotlight nearly two weeks ago when police officials announced a suspected connection in the murders of three Muslim men. A little more than 24 hours after that announcement, a fourth Muslim man was shot to death. By August 9, a suspect was in custody. Muhammed Syed has been charged with the July 26 murder of Aftab Hussein, 41 and the August 1 murder of Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27. Syed is also considered the suspect in the November 2021 murder of M...